Overview

Marvel at the unique painted churches of Bucovina, where religious scenes are depicted in rich hues

Enjoy professional support and assistance

Moldova and Bucovina are two of the richest regions in Romania in terms of culture and tradition. UNESCO heritage sights and ancient crafts are to be discovered in this enchanting little part of the world with beautiful landscapes. Local gastronomy is also rich and various, with many regional influences.

The 8 days journey will take you to the main painted monasteries of the area, local traditional workshops for arts & crafts but also beautiful landscapes, deep forests and quiet picturesque hills. Bucovina means the land of the beech trees and the title is still justified today.

Hidden away in the valleys among the forests near the border with Ukraine is one of Europe’s most remarkable treasures – the painted monasteries of Bucovina. Mostly founded in the 1500s, they are still thriving religious communities, not just monuments. While most churches have their interior covered in paintings, what makes these remarkable are the frescoes painted on the outside walls. The surroundings of woods and fields give them a special charm and makes it perfect to discover by bike.

The monasteries of Neamt, although not famous for their external frescoes, are superb communities with great spiritual life and scenic beauty.

Day by day

Depending on your arrival time, we would love to guide you on a short complimentary walking or cycling tour of Bucharest city center followed by a social hour and welcome dinner in a restaurant in the city center – a good time to discuss, plan and accommodate your journey in the best possible way.

After breakfast we will prepare the departure to Targu Neamt. The transfer usually takes 6 hours, but we plan to stop on our way to enjoy some wine tasting at a winery near Buzau city or Piatra Neamt city on the route.
After check-in, we could visit a few historical and cultural sights: the old Neamt Fortress, the old house of Ion Creanga writer and the historical city center. Socializing, dinner and planning of the first cycling day follows.

Today’s first cycling route is half on asphalt and half on forest paths. We will be passing a few famous monasteries, but also a natural buffalo reserve. We shall first reach Agapia Monastery, famous for the remarkable paintings of Nicolae Grigorescu. From Agapia we will follow the old path of the Natural Park Vanatori and visit the hidden Sihla Monastery, together with the legendary “one wood” monastery and the St. Theodora cave. From Agapia to Sihla, along the 6 km, the route elevation is 300m.
Later on we will cycle in the National Park towards Neamt Monastery. We will climb for another 200m, then the route descends, but the last 10 km will be almost flat. Founded in the 12th century, the Monastery stands as one of Romania's oldest and most important religious settlements. Tucked away at the foot of the Ceahlau Mountains and surrounded by old forests, the monastery resembles a fortress with its high walls and defence tower. Near the Monastery, a buffalo reserve awaits.

In the morning we will visit a small local museum of artists who create traditional masks and wooden sculptures.
We will later have a short transfer Gura Humorului, 75 km to the North. Keen cyclists could do the transfer by bike. After checking in Gura Humorului, we will hop on the bike for a short ride and visit two of the monasteries included in the UNESCO World Heritage: Voronet and Humor.
Voronetis one the most breath-taking of all the monasteries with its predominantly blue hues and celebrated Last Judgement mural: a synthesis of Byzantine elements and gothic elements. Furthermore „the blue of Voronet” is considered by the specialists to be unique in the world, and as known as Rubes red or the Veronese green. Humor Monastery has a special architecture, with the bell tower build outside the church.

One of our favourite days, today is going to be a very busy day covering a visit to a salt mine, a unique pottery village and Sucevita painted monastery. Hidden between the hills nearby the town of Gura Humorului, Cacica salt-mine can provide enough salt for the entire Europe for the next 400 years! After a short visit of the mine, we will continue our cycling route toward the village of Marginea. This famous pottery uses ancient firing techniques to produce a distinctive black glaze. There is also a craft shop selling traditional and modern tapestries as well as local embroidered clothing. After a short lunch here and continue our route to Sucevita monastery. Surrounded by wooded hills, the late-16th century monastery resembles a fortress with imposing walls and defensive towers. The church’s frescoes are predominantly purple, red and blue and green. Beautifully preserved, they depict Moldavian legend and biblical scenes including the striking Ladder of Virtue and unfinished Last Judgement.
The total distance is ~50 km on asphalt road, with low traffic. Alternatively, an offroad forest route is available for keen cyclists (32 km, 400 m altitude gain in elevation).

The 30 km route from Sucevita to Moldovita Monastery is an amazing asphalt road crossing Ciumarna Pass, offering a beautiful view over the Bucovina hills. On our way we stop for a break and visit Moldovita monastery, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Moldovita painted monastery was built in 1532 by Petru Rares, who was Stephan the Great's illegitimate son. It was founded as a protective barrier against the Muslim Ottoman conquerors from the East.
In Moldovita village we will visit the Eggs painting museum before descending to for another 25 km to Pojorata picturesque village. The Egg Museum exhibits the largest collection of painted eggs in Romania and also one of the most important in Europe. In the workshop you will be able to work alongside Professor Letitia, the owner of the museum and also the creator of painted eggs, which will explain to you the meanings of Bucovina symbols.

The final cycling day of our tour starts in Pojorata and ends after 30 km in Campulung Moldovenesc. We will be climbing from 700 to 1,500 m elevation along a 15 km route to reach Transrarau pass – a climb to the highest point in Rarau Mountains – Doamnele Peak.
The we follow a 15 km descend Campulung.

Individual travel Insurance for the trip (compulsory in order to be accepted for the tour)

Individual insurance for special activities (recommended)Additional local guides, if required

Single room supplement

All the other conditions are presented in the “Terms and conditions” document

More information

Meeting and departure:

How to get there:

We suggest that you arrive at one day prior to the trip start, which will enable you to adjust to the time zone and minimize the risk of missing the trip start due to flight-related delays. We recommend that you fly into Bucharest airport.
Please inform the tour company on your flight schedule to advise for appropriate transfer times for meeting and departure.

Meeting day:

On arrival, the participants will be informed on the programme and other necessary information, they will be familiarised with the local customs and will receive the travel kit (map, equipment, bike and so on). Our guides will make sure that the participants fulfil all terms and conditions.

In case one or more participants did not reach the meeting date and point as scheduled, it is the responsibility of the participant to reach the group during the trip, according to CarpatBike terms and conditions. They will receive the support of our team in finding the group as soon as possible.

Due to the long distance for the first day and the organisational matters, the first day will not include cycling or it will only include short local rides, a visit in the city and local sights.

Terrain:

This tour includes national, local, village, and forest roads through pastoral landscapes and peaceful Transylvanian scenery. The terrain includes flat asphalt routes, unpaved country hilly trails, and rolling hills and is suitable for cyclists in good physical condition, varying from 30 to 60 km per day.
On this tour, 10% of the riding is on dedicated bike paths, 60% is on quiet roads with little traffic, and 30 % on roads shared with traffic.

The tour is also recommended for non-cyclists. In this case, a parallel program will be provided in the area.

Lodging:

We have prepared for you accommodation in beautifully restored traditional guesthouses.

Bike info

GT, Cannondale or Trek XC bicycles are available on this tour, and are included in the tour price.

Equipment provided at no charge:

Helmet

Locks

Repair kit

Pump

Water bottle

Other equipment is available at an additional charge:

GPS system

Cycle computer

Panniers and rack

Pedals/seats:
You may choose to bring your own seat, pedals, bottles and/or other accessories; we will change out seats and pedals for you.

Helmets:
While a helmet can be provided, we recommend that for safety and hygiene reasons you bring your own or plan to purchase one upon arrival. Please consider also bringing your own water recipient.

Dates & Prices

We reward our guests with lower pricing and more dates to choose from the earlier you book. Also, in case you want to book a tour for a particular date we are happy to prepare a customized offer for your group. Choose any of our existing tour itineraries for your own private adventure.

Book it on your chosen dates, just for your group. Prices may vary depending on group size and availability for selected dates. For groups +10 pp. additional discount apply.